Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000/02/14 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CIS OF OFFICIAL MINUTES ST. Louis CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION PARK February 14, 2000 The meeting convened at 7 00 p m Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Jim Brimeyer, Ron Latz, Chris Nelson, Susan Sanger, Susan Santa and Mayor Jeff Jacobs Staff present City Manager (Mr Meyer), Deputy City Manager (Mr Pires), Director of Community Development (Mr Harmening), Planning Manager (Ms Jeremiah), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr Kleve), Finance Director(Ms McGann), Public Works Director (Mr Rardin), and City Clerk (Ms Larsen) 1. Park Commons East - AvalonBay An summary of the meeting with Mayor Jacobs, Chris Nelson, and senior staff from Avalon Bay was presented Avalon Bay had originally proposed to be the sole developer for the Park Commons East pioject and was now interested in collaborating with a commercial developer on the project Chris Nelson reported that the CEO of Avalon Bay stated that the most feasible option for obtaining commercial/retail expertise was outsourcing They have now created a relationship with Grubb & Ellis for consultant and commercial/retail work Councilmember Nelson felt if Avalon Bay did not have an equity partner, they must self own the property The Council then discussed the feasibility of Avalon Bay moving forward under the current structure of the proposed project Mr Meyer said that Avalon Bay did not wish to seek to another equity partner due to the difficulties of maintaining such a relationship, stating that they would prefer to retain ownership Mr Meyer said he would like the project to retain one developer but felt that it does not seem possible because there are no developers experienced in the kind of mixed use development that is being created here Ms Jeremiah reported that staff had encouraged a relationship with Beard group to obtain local input Mr Harmening stated that Grubb and Ellis brings the component of local community knowledge to the project He reported that there would be a two tier compensation plan consisting of up front consultant fees and commission He also said that Grubb and Ellis has experience in development and will help in the design Councilmember Sanger inquired what would happen if the City finds the arrangement unacceptable Councilmember Nelson replied that Avalon Bay said they would remove themselves from the pi oject with regi et Mayoi Jacobs stated that this is one of the most significant development projects every undertaken by the city and felt it very important that the city and developers move forward Councilmember Brimeyer suggested that Avalon Bay commit to sell the commercial development early I-Ie felt that a key point was to have a development agreement with Avalon Bay and design plan within sixty days He also that suggested that the local presence Grubb and Ellis would bring would be beneficial Study Session Minutes -2- February 14, 2000 Mr Harmening stated that Grubb and Ellis would like a sign put up to attract interested parties Councilmember Latz stated that he felt it would make a huge difference whether the commercial development occurs on Excelsior Blvd or W 38th St Mayor Jacobs stated his willingness to push the design aspect of the project Councilmember Latz replied that Grubb and Ellis has a strong incentive to succeed in St Louis Park having many St Louis Park ties Councilmember Sanger inquired if Grubb and Ellis had experience in mixed use developments and wondered if the Beard group could be used Councilmember Nelson replied that the Beard group could be used as a consultant and added that their staff was very well versed in the principles of mixed use development Mr Harmening emphasized the need to stick to the principles of the project Councilmember Sanger stated that she would like to see Avalon Bay take on more risk Mr Harmening stated that Avalon Bay was now providing the capital for the project Mayor Jacobs agreed that the City should hold the developer to the principles of the project Councilmember Latz stated that the next 90 days would be critical Councilmember Santa said she wants to revisit the 38th St/Excelsior Blvd idea She also said that would like Grubb and Ellis on the project right away to give an analysis based on the reality of the project Mr Harmening replied that Grubb and Ellis will be visiting the Council in two weeks to discuss the fundamentals of the retail development The Council then discussed the number of stories the buildings should be and if retail should be put in versus a live/work situation Councilmember Brimeyer said they should listen to the market place Councilmember Sanger stated that one of the provisions was to have at least one mixed use building and felt that there should be more than that Mr Harmening agreed and said the City will have a significant control over the project Ms Jeremiah stated that incentives need to built into the project Mr Meyer stated that Avalon Bay has up to $500,000 already invested in the project Mr Kleve stated that one key issue is that Avalon Bay never had a leasing partner Mr Harmening stated that staff will send a letter to Avalon Bay outlining provisions that need to be met within ninety days and mentioned again that Grubb and Ellis will be at the next study session meeting Councilmember Latz asked Council ;f they wanted to go with an outside consultant Mr Harmening suggested that staff should be given some time to work and come back with information for the Council Councilmember Nelson stated that he would like information on traffic in the area of the project Ms Jei emiah r eplied that the information could be provided at the next study session meeting Mr Harmening referred to the scope of the work and the range of costs associated with the project Ms Jeremiah added that an origin destination study was possible Study Session Minutes -3- February 14, 2000 Councilmember Sanger asked if the t`rafficstud`yc�oul'd,�be used to determine the feasibility of a pedestrian overpass for the area Ms Jeremiah replied that need would have to be accommodated by at-grade crossings Councilmember Brimeyer felt the traffic study would have to present the worst case scenario and then determine if the worst case would be remediable He also felt that the neighborhoods should be involved in the scope and parameter of the traffic study 2. Capital Improvement Program/Public Works Projects Mr Meyer stated that report is in rough draft form because staff will be taking a much more serious approach to the planning of these projects Mr Pires gave a review of the"ancient history" perspective of the project Mr Rardin stated that he would like to hear the Council comments on the handouts for the capital improvement plan He also hoped to have Council consider the possibility and feasibility of individual projects, and the possibility of adding more projects Mayor Jacobs felt the capital improvement plan would be a very valuable tool to the City and should be developed fairly quickly He also cautioned Council to avoid micro-management of individual projects Councilmember Brimeyer said he would like more information on projects initiated by other departments that could be put into a complete Capital Improvement Plan He also suggested that expansion in the area of technology and other projects should be added to the list of potential projects in 2000-01 Councilmember Brimeyer asked if building and joint construction costs involved with the school district should be reflected in the CIP Mr Meyer replied that those costs are already included and information from the Park and Recreation department will be added as it is developed He stated that he would like the CIP to be more comprehensive than past C1P's He also felt that tentative projects should not be included in the CIP Councilmember Santa stated her concern over the wording and phrasing of the CIP Mr Pires replied that such description would be a key component in controlling audience expectations He added that some projects do not meet the threshold to be placed on the CIP Councilmember Sanger asked in response what the threshold was Mr Rardin replied that amount of funding needed would not be the only indicator to add a project to the CIP High profile projects'may`' also be added Mr Pires stated that the CIP will contain references, footnotes, and appendices to explain other projects not included in the CIP He said the abbreviated two year CIP would be available in spring and the five year CIP would be completed at a later date He added that the operational and mechanical impact of the projects should be included in the CIP and will be added later Ms McGann stated that the revenue sources should also be included in the CIP She said that there were two options for funding General obligation improvement bond and general obligation special assessment bond She added that neither were subject to levy limitations The CIP will show funding source and impacts t :t vE Study Session Minutes -4- February 14, 2000 3. Evaluation of the Police and Fire Civil Service Commissions Mr Meyer recommended that the review of these commissions be deferred to the Charter Commission to act as an impartial third party Council briefly discussed support from the local unions on this issue and agreed to refer this issue to the Charter Commission Mr Meyer replied that a resolution would be needed to take that action 4. Communications Council briefly discussed the retreat and tentative dates to hold it Councilmember Latz made a suggestion on the direction and focus of the cameras when people are speaking at Council meetings 5. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9 25 p m C y Clerk May. •